12-19-2023
New survey information highlighted by CNBC indicates that few employers still have fully remote workplaces. Out of 500 business leaders surveyed, just over 1% responded that their workplaces are fully remote. In contrast, 34% of companies were virtual in 2022. Most of these business leaders currently have hybrid workplaces and find it most successful when employees come in on the same days. The average number of required days in the office is three or more.
Grocery store giant Kroger will require its general office associates to work in person at least three days a week, particularly those who "live within a reasonable driving distance of a corporate hub." Some team leaders may demand a full-time return to the office. Krogers is merging with Albertsons and asserts that "in-person collaboration" will be a "critical foundational element of the future combined company." Employees not living near a hub may need to relocate by June 2025.
Meanwhile, Boeing’s commercial jet division told its managers to get all their employees back to the office full-time, five days a week. The division head did not set a deadline, but one team learned their manager expects them to return to the office full-time after the holiday break. During the pandemic, Boeing encouraged employees to work remotely and shifted to hybrid work in the last two years. This schedule allowed Boeing engineers and business operations employees to avoid long commutes and made work-life balance easier. Boeing's defense and space division and aftermarket service unit will remain more flexible.